Garage cleaning: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What garage cleaning is

Garage cleaning clears clutter, sweeps and degreases the floor, wipes shelves and walls, and removes cobwebs and debris so the space can be used again. It is different from organizing, since the focus is on getting the room clean and clear of waste first.

Signs you need it

  • Oil stains and grease spots mark the concrete under the car or work bench
  • Dust, cobwebs and dirt cover the walls, the rafters and the door tracks
  • Cardboard, old paint cans and loose debris are stacked against the walls
  • Mouse droppings or pest signs are near the boxes and the door seal
  • The garage smells damp or musty and you cannot park the car inside

What the pro does

  • Clear out the trash, broken items and debris, sorting what should go to recycling or disposal
  • Sweep the floor and remove loose grit before any wet cleaning starts
  • Degrease oil and grease stains on the concrete with a degreaser suited to the surface
  • Wipe down shelves, walls, the door and the window sills, and knock down cobwebs from the rafters
  • Clean the door tracks and the garage door seal where accessible
  • Rinse and let the floor dry, and leave a note on any damp area or pest sign found

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Size of the garage and how many bays or rooms it has
  • Amount of clutter and debris that must be sorted and hauled away
  • Depth of oil and grease stains on the concrete
  • Condition of the walls and shelves, and how much wiping they need
  • Whether the job includes a driveway, workshop area or attached storage
  • Whether debris hauling is included or handled separately

What a written quote should spell out

  • Which areas are included, such as the floor, walls, shelves, door and tracks
  • Whether hauling of trash and debris is included, and where it is taken
  • The degreaser used on the concrete and whether any stain is expected to stay
  • What is not included, such as painting, car repair or shelf installation
  • Whether a note on damp areas or pest signs is provided at the end

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Will you haul away the trash and debris, or do I need to take it to the dump
  • What do you use on oil stains, and will it leave a residue on the concrete
  • Do you clean the door tracks and the seal, and how do you reach the rafters
  • Will you move the car or the tools, and put them back where they were
  • Can you tell me if there is water damage or pest activity in the garage
  • How long before the garage floor is dry enough to park on

Red flags

  • A crew that hoses down oil-stained concrete into a drain or yard without a plan for the runoff
  • No hauling plan for the debris, leaving it in the driveway
  • Use of a strong solvent near a water heater or gas appliance in the garage
  • A quote that says garage cleaning but leaves out the floor

What you can do yourself

You can clear trash, sort recyclables and sweep the floor before the crew arrives. Call a professional for degreasing heavy oil stains, for cobweb and rafter work that needs a ladder, and for any garage with a water heater or gas appliance where the cleaning products must be chosen with care.

Licenses and permits

Garage cleaning is not commonly licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency for business registration and any rules about hauling and disposing of waste in your area.

Garage cleaning questions

Can the cleaner remove oil stains from the concrete?

Many fresh stains lift with degreaser and scrubbing. Old, deep stains may only fade. Ask the crew what they expect to remove before the job starts.

Should I clear the garage before the cleaner arrives?

Clear the large items you want to keep, and set aside what you want thrown out. The crew can handle the rest, but it saves time if you sort the keep pile first.

Can I park the car in the garage right after cleaning?

Only once the floor is fully dry. Degreaser and wet concrete can leave a slippery surface, so check with the crew before moving the car back in.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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